moving from michigan

[poppins]

I'm moving back to RI (finally) after more than ten years in Kalamazoo. I really miss the people, the food, and the ocean.

My nephew has ADHD and dyslexia, and has been attending a school that has worked wonders for him. It's called St. Andrews, and it's in Providence. Many of the students are diagnosed with "special needs." The classes are small and the teachers are fantastic.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Kaf

My husband will be interviewing in Providence next week. We were raised in a small town in west Michigan. We have lived in metro Detroit for the past 17 years. I am concerned about the attitude that is frequently mentioned in the posts.

We have a daughter with Asperger syndrome. I am looking in the East Greenwich area ( on advice from RI groups, for its schools). With her issues, she is very social, but somewhat gullible. She needs good friends. She has nice friends here.

The Katie Beckett laws sound good, but without friends she will be miserable. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[emilybh]

The Rhode Island school system for as long as I can remember has been "challenged" as far as educating the average student. There was recently a "Newsweek" article that listed the top 100 schools in the country but also listed 900 below that that did not make the top 100. Rhode Island did not have any high schools in the top 100 or any in the top 250 or any in the top 500. East Greenwich and Barrington high schools barely made it into the top 800s or 900s. PRETTY PATHETIC considering what we pay in taxes and how much teachers make in the public school system. HOWEVER, there seems to be LOTS of special education programs for those that need it so, if that is what you are looking for, Rhode Island might be a good fit and the town where you choose to live may not make that much of a difference. I had a friend who had a son with all sorts of problems and the City of Newport ended up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for his special ed and mental health needs each year.

[louie lu]

hi
my mother in law works in the school department in e. greenwich with great credentials. she agreed that e. greenwich has been rated superb in the educational system for your daughter. she is acqainted with the woman who used to be the head of the program in e. greenwich. now that woman is the superintendant of the schools in lincoln ri.
lincoln school department for special needs is equivalant to that of e. greenwhiches, i was told, the only difference is, e. greenwhich gets more publicity for there talents.
as far as commuting purposes lincoln is situated in are far more convenient place than e. greenwich is to providence and elsewhere.
my mother inlaw, a princpalgave me permission to inform u. an u are welcome to more info if u would like.

[pcmama98]

I heard MA was better for the spectrum if you are interested in having ABA therapy in the public schools. It would be out of your way, but it might be worth looking into. I just moved to Cranston, RI last year and have a 6 year old on the spectrum. I have been doing home-based ABA therapy services but am considering a move to MA....

[IxIAnnieIxI]

Avoid living in Providence.

[pwrm21]

Hi KAF
You might want to check out www.greatschools.net It allows you to compare all the local schools. Make sure you check out all the features.

I live in North Kingstown and really like the schools here, however...I'm uncertain of their capability for special needs.

Having moved here 11 years ago, I would encourage you to get out and join anything and everything can. I think EG has a newcomers club which would connect you up with other newbies. Having lived in several states, I have found RI to be especially difficult...but EG seems to have a good amount of people from out-of-state, hence more open to newcomers.

I hope this helps.
Paula

[pwrm21]

One more thing...you can get all kinds of information on this web link

.: OnBoard Neighborhood Navigator :.

It gives population by age, income levels of population, crime rates, etc.

HTH
Paula

[cheriem3kids]

We will be moving to RI soon from MN. I have a son with Aspergers who will be in the 10th grade. My husband will be working in Woonsocket. We are looking for a school district that works well with ASD kids, will not be too long of a commute and somewhere that is relatively affordable and a nice place to live (I don't think we can afford Barrington) I am SO stressed about having to move my son to a new school! Any insight would be appreciated.
CM

[mikey2]

You could look at Cumberland for a start. That's adjacent to Woonsocket and a better community to raise a family.

There also is Lincoln, which would be less pricey than Barrington.

A third choice would be North Smithfield...rural...still only 5 miles or so away from Woonsocket.

Mikey

[Hollytree]

What's wrong with this picture? How long can we sustain this situation?

1. School systems ranked as under performing
2. Teachers among the highest paid in the country
3. Property taxes high
4. Designer diagnoses such as ADD and Aspergers skyrocketing
5. More parents demanding that their children be treated as special
6. Kids on drugs commonplace

Nothing directed personally to anyone in particular but on this board, but look at the "definition" of Aspergers- in years past this would have been normal- maybe slightly nerdy- but normal. Someone's making out on these diagnoses and it's sure not the taxpayers of RI.

Portland Aspergers Network: Resources for Families and Children with Asperger's Syndrome

OK now I sit back and wait for the "but MY child IS really different and really does need special accomodations" responses.........

Maybe RI public education has outlived its sustainability- especially now that it appears to be linked up with health care on demand.